UMM Lecturers Respond to the Problem of New Territorial Expansion

Author : Humas | Thursday, July 07, 2022 06:53 WIB

Syafriyana Hijri, S.IP., M.IP. Lecturer of Government Science, University of Muhammadiyah Malang. (Photo: Haqi PR UMM)

The issue of arson in Papua has existed since the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). This issue resurfaced recently after the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) ratified the Draft Law (RUU) to establish a New Autonomous Region in Papua at the end of last June in a plenary meeting. Seeing this, Yana Syafriyana Hijri, S.IP., M.IP., a lecturer in Governmental Sciences, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), responded.

Yana, her nickname, said there would be three new provinces in Papua: South Papua Province with Merauke Regency as the capital and Central Papua Province with Nabire Regency as the capital. Then the last one is Papua Mountains Province, the capital city in Jaya Wijaya Regency. The basis for this province's division is equitable development and bringing public services closer to the community.

"Of course, what has been the basis for regional expansion since the first is equitable development and the approach to public services," Yana explained.

Even so, he said that the existence of regional expansion did not guarantee equitable development and community welfare. It can be seen in several districts in Papua, which resulted from division in 2002 and 2008. Most of these districts will be included in the list of poor areas in 2020. One example is the Deiyai Regency, which has 41% of the poor of the total local population.

"The aspect that makes the expansion not optimal is the lack of human resources (HR). If the existing human resources are not adequate, of course, the management of the new regional government will not work properly. It will even lead to indications of corruption. In addition, there is also a lack of preparation from the government for the pemanak area," he said.

Regarding the expansion process, Yana explained that before 2004, administratively, it had to go through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri). The requirements that must be prepared also vary, and the review is quite complicated. It makes the application for regional expansion only a few.

However, after 2004, the process of filing for the formation of a new autonomous region could be through the DPR RI. According to him, this is easier but tends to be more political. "But I think this tends to be more political. Especially considering the attitude of our current officials," he added.

The lecturer from Serang, Banten, hopes the central government should consider the expansion so that it is not like before, which experienced a setback. In addition, the government must prepare aspects of human resources for the sustainability of the new province, which can be more developed.

"That way, people can feel prosperous, even with better public services. Therefore, the central government must assist so that the expansion areas can develop their existing potential," he concluded. (cdr/haq/wil)

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